Asuperb Jack McCaffrey goal six minutes from time secured victory for the 14-man Dubs in this NFL Division 1 clash at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

The jet-heeled Clontarf wing-back was introduced as a second half sub (49th minute) and had a very influential impact on the conclusion of this well contested battle after Kevin McManamon had been dismissed (second yellow card) ten minutes into the second half.

Within six minutes of coming on McCaffrey kicked a point and his clinically taken goal in the 64th minute, when he covered 80 metres to link up with Davy Byrne, quelled any hopes Donegal had of inflicting defeat on Jim Gavin's men with Ciaran Kilkenny, on his return to action following his knee surgery, slotting a fine late point to see the Dubs to their five-point victory.

If Dublin closed out the game well they were sparked to life in the fifth minute when Eric Lowndes, McManamon and Costello combined for the Whitehall lad to round Paul Durcan and fire to the net.

Points from Davy Byrne, Emmett O Conghaile and Eoghan O'Gara soon followed as Dublin began to get on top.

However, Paddy McBrearty and Michael Murphy kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors and by the break Dublin led by just the minimum, 1-5 to 0-7.

Seventeen seconds into the second half Murphy brought the sides level but two Dean Rock frees edged Dublin back in front before McManamon was sent off in the 45th minute.

Inside the last 15 minutes a Christy Toye point left Dublin one point to the good, 1-8 to 0-10, before McCaffrey performed his super-sub heroics to seal the deal..